Wenger looks even more out of date after Moyes and Allardyce quit

Arsenal manager is last of his generation –
and even some of his younger rivals are thinking about hanging up
their boots

One-Minute Read

With many fans turning against him and star players heading for
the exit, he also finds himself an increasingly isolated figure in the world
of Premier League management, particularly since the resignations
of David Moyes and Sam Allardyce.

Allardyce, who has quit as Crystal Palace manager, was always
a thorn in Wenger’s side, but at least he was of almost the same
vintage. The same goes for Moyes.

The departure of those two old stagers leaves Wenger with
few, if any, rivals from his era.

Wenger’s managerial career began with Nancy in France in
the mid-1980s – so long ago that most other current Premier League
managers, the likes of Pep Guardiola, Mauricio Pochettino and Eddie
Howe, had not even begun their playing careers.

When Wenger arrived at Arsenal in 1996, only Tony Pulis
and Sam Allardyce of last season’s crop of Premier League bosses
were already in the management game.

Even the likes of Ronald Koeman and Jose Mourinho did not
become managers until the turn of the century.

But although Allardyce and Moyes are now gone, Wenger will
be able to reminisce about the 1990s with Rafa Benitez when he
brings his Newcastle side to the top flight next season.

He could also talk to Claude Puel if he remains in charge
of Southampton, although they are more likely to discuss the years
Puel spent as a player under Wenger at Monaco between 1987 and
1994.

Mark Hughes is the only other top-flight manager who dates
back to the last century, but he was still playing for Southampton
when he took over as Wales manager in 1999  and went on to
play for Everton and Blackburn before calling it quits.

Wenger is looking increasingly as a man out of time and if he does decide to
stay on as Arsenal boss next season, he will not have anyone of the
same age to play with.